Net Worth Ranker
What Is Shannen Doherty Net Worth?
At the time of her passing on July 13, 2024, American actress, producer, director, and author Shannen Doherty had a net worth of $5 million. Doherty was best known for her roles as Heather Duke in “Heathers” (1988), Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1990–1994), and Prue Halliwell in “Charmed” (1998–2001). Doherty’s career spanned several decades, marked by both critical acclaim and personal challenges that contributed to the trajectory of her Shannen Doherty net worth.
Shannen Doherty’s Earnings from Television and Film
Shannen Doherty’s income came primarily from her acting roles in television and film. During the early seasons of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty earned $17,500 per episode. Her salary increased significantly when she starred in “Charmed,” where she received $75,000 per episode. When Doherty reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in the 2008 reboot of “90210,” she earned between $40,000 and $50,000 per episode. These figures highlight the evolution of her earning power throughout her career. Beyond these primary roles, Doherty’s appearances in made-for-TV movies, guest spots on shows like “Voyagers!” and “Father Murphy,” and her voice-over work for “The Secret of NIMH” also contributed to her overall income. For example, her role as Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie” in 1982 provided consistent work during her early career. Her film roles, such as Maggie Malone in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1985) and Heather Duke in “Heathers” (1988), added to her Shannen Doherty net worth. Her later roles also played a significant role.
Real Estate Investments: The Malibu Property
In 2004, Shannen Doherty purchased a 3,410-square-foot home in Malibu for $2.56 million. Built in 1976, the property featured five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, ocean views, a pool, and a spa. Doherty listed the home for sale in May 2008 with an asking price of $4.4 million. This real estate investment represents a significant portion of her Shannen Doherty net worth. The potential profit from the sale of this property, had it sold at the listed price, would have been nearly $2 million, illustrating her ability to make sound real estate decisions.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Shannen Maria Doherty was born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother, Rosa, worked as a beauty parlor operator, and her father, Tom, was a mortgage consultant. Her early career began with guest spots on “Voyagers!” and “Father Murphy” in 1982. That same year, she secured a recurring role as Jenny Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” appearing in nearly every episode of the final season. Also in 1982, Doherty lent her voice to the animated film “The Secret of NIMH.” In 1985, she starred as Maggie Malone in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” alongside Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker. From 1986 to 1988, she played Kris Witherspoon in the drama “Our House.” Doherty’s early roles set the stage for her future success and her increase in Shannen Doherty net worth, allowing her to get more recognized.
Breakthrough Roles: Heathers and Beverly Hills, 90210
Doherty’s first significant film role was in “Heathers” (1988), where she portrayed Heather Duke. In 1990, she gained international fame with her role as Brenda Walsh in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” alongside Jason Priestly, who played her brother Brandon Walsh. Her performance as Brenda earned her a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series in both 1991 and 1992. Doherty left “Beverly Hills, 90210” in 1994 at the end of the fourth season. She reprised her role as Brenda Walsh for the six-episode sequel “BH 90210,” which premiered on August 7, 2019, on Fox. These roles were instrumental in boosting her career and contributed significantly to her Shannen Doherty net worth.
Charmed and Subsequent Projects
After leaving “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Shannen Doherty appeared in several made-for-TV movies and Kevin Smith’s 1995 film “Mallrats.” In 1998, she was cast in “Charmed,” playing Prue Halliwell, the oldest of three witch sisters. Doherty directed several episodes of the series during the second and third seasons. She left “Charmed” in 2001 at the end of the third season. For her performance in “Charmed,” Doherty was nominated twice for the Saturn Award, Best Genre TV Actress, in 1999 and 2000. In 2003, Doherty hosted “Scare Tactics” on the Sci-Fi Channel. She was a series regular on “North Shore” in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, she produced and starred in her own reality show, “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty,” on the Oxygen Network. In 2008, Doherty joined the cast of the “Beverly Hills, 90210” spin-off “90210” as a recurring guest star, appearing in seven episodes. These consistent television roles helped sustain her career and contributed to her Shannen Doherty net worth, as well as her popularity.
Dancing with the Stars and Other Ventures
On March 1, 2010, it was announced that Doherty would be a celebrity contestant on the 10th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” partnered with Mark Ballas. Although they were the first couple eliminated during the second week, this appearance added to her public profile and potential endorsement opportunities, thus also affecting her Shannen Doherty net worth. Beyond her television and film roles, Doherty’s ventures into reality television and guest appearances on various shows helped maintain her visibility and income. While the financial details of these specific projects aren’t publicly available, they undoubtedly played a role in her overall earnings. She also created the reality show, which also helped add to her overall revenue.
Personal Life: Relationships and Public Image
In early 1993, Shannen Doherty was briefly engaged to Max Factor heir Dean Jay Factor, who filed a restraining order against her, alleging physical violence and threats. She married Ashley Hamilton, the son of actor George Hamilton, on October 11, 1993; they divorced in April 1994. In 2002, Doherty married Rick Salomon; their marriage was annulled after nine months. Shannen married photographer Kurt Iswarienko on October 15, 2011, in Malibu, California. Starting with her role on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty gained a reputation for bad behavior, which dominated her public image for many years. She was known for heavy partying, on-set lateness, physical fights, and a feud with co-star Jennie Garth. During her time on “Charmed,” rumors of a feud with co-star Alyssa Milano are said to have fueled her exit from the show. This tumultuous personal life may have affected her career choices and, consequently, her Shannen Doherty net worth.
Health Battles: Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Advocacy
In March 2015, Shannen Doherty was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. In February 2016, she revealed she was receiving anti-estrogen treatment to shrink the tumor. A single mastectomy was performed in May 2016, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. On April 29, 2017, Doherty announced that her cancer was in remission. However, on February 4, 2020, she announced that her cancer had returned a year earlier, and she had stage four breast cancer. In June 2023, Shannen revealed her breast cancer had metastasized to her brain. Doherty’s public battle with cancer brought awareness to the disease and may have led to advocacy opportunities, although it also undoubtedly incurred significant medical expenses. While it’s impossible to quantify the exact financial impact of her health battles, it is an important factor in understanding her overall Shannen Doherty net worth.
